asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state with reference to the reply to my recent question concerning the export of Irish whiskey in which it was stated that the value of Irish whiskey exports was less than £500,000, what steps he proposes to take to increase exports of this commodity in view of the fact that last year the export of Scotch whisky was worth £32,000,000.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Whiskey.
The export of Irish whiskey is primarily a matter for the business interests concerned. Official assistance in seeking and developing foreign markets is provided by my Department as a normal practice. In addition, the assistance of Córas Tráchtála Teoranta is available in developing exports to the dollar area. The interests of the Irish exporters are of course kept in mind when trade agreements are being negotiated, and specific quotas for whiskey have been established in a number of countries.
Is the Minister aware that in the present year the contract for the production of malting barley between the producers and the distillers has been halved by the distillers? Does the Minister not agree that that will mean that in five to seven years' time we will have just half the amount of whiskey available for export that is available at the present time? Does he agree that that is a peculiar way to tackle the export trade in whiskey?
I am not aware of what the contract for barley for distilling may be this year.
What I say is quite true. Is the Minister aware that the previous Government pointed out to the distillers the necessity and the desirability of expanding this particular trade and that these gentlemen told the previous Government that they were doing all right as they were? Does the Minister not consider it in the national interest that steps be taken to expand this trade until we reach the position that Scotland is in to-day in the export of whiskey? With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.